Fibro360.com: What Causes Fibromyalgia

Since being recognized as a medical disorder in the 1980s many theories have been suggested as to what causes fibromyalgia. Currently, there is not enough proof to support any of the theories, which means that fibromyalgia is technically a syndrome: a set of symptoms that occur together, with no known cause. Fibromyalgia may present itself at any point, possibly triggered by a certain event.

Theories on the causes of fibromyalgia have been developed by analyzing how the body normally reacts to pain, and how those with fibromyalgia react to pain. First, it is important to examine the science behind the syndrome in order to better understand its possible causes.

Pain – How it Works
The brain is the center of activity for the whole body; every form of external stimulation is first transmitted to the brain, decoded, and then sent back to the body in the form of a reaction. When pain is felt, nerve endings carry the signal to the brain by way of the spinal cord. The signal is then processed and interpreted as pain.

Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
As the following theories explain, it is thought that changes occurring in the nerve and brain cells are responsible for the chronic pain felt by those with fibromyalgia. Studies have reported that people with fibromyalgia react more strongly to pain than those without, suggesting that alterations to the nerve and brain cells have caused them to become more sensitive, feeling pain more strongly.

Chemical Imbalances – One theory suggests that chemical changes in the brain and spinal cord that generally regulate pain may be to blame. Due to chemical imbalances pain sensors are skewed, and muscle pain is felt throughout the body. Another theory states that the imbalance of chemicals that control mood can cause a lowered tolerance for pain and sleep disturbances, leading to less physical activity and more muscle pain.

Hormonal Imbalances – Fatigue, mood changes, concentration and memory problems, and a low pain tolerance can all be attributed to the imbalance of cortisol and growth hormones, controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Lack of growth hormone can be attributed to sleep disturbances, as it is secreted during the deepest phase of sleep.

What Triggers Fibromyalgia?
Most who suffer from fibromyalgia can pinpoint the start of their symptoms to a specific event in their life. These events can include an injury or surgery, an illness, such an infection or autoimmune disorder, or emotional trauma or stress.

Continued Research Gives Hope
Medical researchers are constantly looking to add more constants to fibromyalgia by continued studies of the brain and the sensory receptors. Analyzing each part that the body plays in the reception of pain will help doctors to better understand why chronic pain is felt by those with fibromyalgia. In addition, the more that is known about the condition, the easier it is to identify and the more that is understood about why it occurs, the easier it is to manage.